The Football Association has defended its decision to offer 18,000 tickets to Poland fans ahead of Tuesday’s pivotal World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

FIFA rules dictate that 10 per cent of tickets must be allocated to supporters of the visiting national side but The FA have doubled that number to satisfy demand from Poland fans.

Victory will see England progress to next summer’s World Cup in Brazil but anything short of that will most likely leave Roy Hodgson and his team relying on a play-off to reach the showpiece event.

And the decision to offer Poland an increased allocation has sparked criticism from some quarters given the heightened importance of the final qualifier.

The FA today stood by their decision claiming safety would be compromised if Poland were restricted to the minimum allocation of 9,000 tickets.

"The FA, working with the Polish FA, have provided 18,000 tickets to Polish supporters," an FA spokesman said.

"With high demand for tickets from the large Polish community in England the FA took the decision, based on safety grounds, to ensure Polish fans were allocated space in a specific area of the ground rather than attempting to buy tickets in home areas.

"Tickets in the home areas have been restricted to previous buyers only, with no tickets now remaining for this fixture.

"This is the same process that was employed for the successful Scotland and Republic of Ireland fixtures earlier this year."

Leighton Baines, who will stand in for the injured Ashley Cole on Tuesday evening, believes the occasion will benefit from a strong travelling support.

"If it adds to the atmosphere, it is great," the Everton defender said.

"I remember when we played Ghana - and I don't know how many there were there - they were amazing and it just made it better.

"If these away fans add to the atmosphere the home fans are going to produce, then it just adds to the occasion."

But the 28-year-old admitted there is a chance the increased allocation could hinder England’s efforts to secure a World Cup berth.

"It could work in that manner, but to put a more positive spin on it you'd rather play in a stadium with a good atmosphere rather than it be a half-empty stadium," the 28-year-old said.